Agricultural implement



C W BOARD Er AL AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Fll ed Jan. 19. 19(2&\

V I l Jan. 15, 1929.

' Patented he. 15, 1929.

unrrao STATES 1,699,178 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. BOARD AND WALTER E. CROSBY, OF DE LAND, FLORIDA.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT.

This invention relates to an agricultural implement and it is an object oi. the invention to provide a device of this kind which can be effectively employed for cutting weeds, grass, stubble, etc.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind comprising a bandle and a working blade or hit together with means for connecting the one to the'other in a manner to prevent turning in the hands of the operator or collapsing upon abnormal impact.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind provided with a blade or bit having the edges thereof sharpened whereby the blade is capable of efiective cutting action upon either a forward or reverse move orstroke. V

A still further object of the invention is to provide an im lement of this kind wherein the blade or bit is disposed on a slant with respect to the handle suflicient to move said blade or bit substantiall level with the ground when the handle is hel at an angle with the body forming a natural position for operation, the blade or bit making a scythe-like cut when the movement-of the implement is similar to the swing of an axe.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of our improved agricultural implement whereby certain im ortant advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less ex .ensive '35 and otherwise more convenient and a vantageous for -use, as will. be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of our invention will hereinafter be'definitely claimed.

In order that our invention may be the better understood, we will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an implement constructed in accordance with an embodiment of our invention;

Figure 2 is a view in ,front elevaton of the device as illustrated in Fi re 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, B denotes a bracket or foot, preferably metal, of a channel construction in cross secbit 2, the connection or securement of the tion and having its free longitudinal marginal portions definedby the outstanding flanges 1 whereby said bracket or foot may have effectively secured thereto the blade or blade or bit 2, as herein disclosed, is accomplished through the bolts 3 or their equivaent. r

The bracket or foot ll is relatively long and is perpendicularly related to the outer end portion of the shank 4 with which the bracket or foot B is. as herein disclosed, integrally formed. 'lhis'shank 4 is substantially sigmoidal in form and has its outer end portion. or that endportion remote from the bracket or foot B, tubular to provide a socket 5 to receive the inner end portion of an elongated handle member 6. preferably of wood. The handle member 6 is held to the shank 4 by the bolts 7 or the equivalent thereof.

It is to be noted that the curvature of the shank 4 is in a direction coplanar with the foot or bracket B and is so disposed as to have the end portion of the shank immediately adjacent to the foot or bracket B ottset with respect to the socket 5 or the handle member6 engaged therewith. This arrangetnent of the shank also provides that the foot or bracket B extend beyond opposite sides of the handle member 6. The foot or bracket B is disposed on a downward or outward incline with respect to the handle member 6 so that in practice the blade 2 engaged with said foot or bracket B will come into contact in substantially a level position with respect to the ground when the movement of the implement is similar to the 'swingof an -ment, as hereinbefore described, is such as to assure lightness, strength and rigidity together with an arrangement of the parts whereby the implement is held in natural position when the operator is standing. The weightand hang of the implement is also such to revent twisting or turning in the handan the particular formation of the shank 4 permits the blade 2 to readily reach under fences, shrubbcry, etc. to out undergrowing vegetation.

The construction of the shank, as herein disclosed, and the arrangement of the blade 2 with respect thereto also eliminates clogging "and provides an implementwhich can cut vegetation of varying hei hts. I

It is also believed to be o hvious that the construction of the implement is such that any part thereofmay be readily re laced and that by providiuu a blade 2 Wit two cutting edges a considerable saving in time is made together with a conservation of energy, especially in view of the fact that the implement is effective upon swing or movement of the implement in both or either directions.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an agricultural implement constructed in accordance with our invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that our invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason we do not Wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the precise arrangement andformation offlthe several parts herein shown in carrying out our inventionin practice except as hereinafter claimed.

We claim An implement of the class described comprising a substantially sigmoidal shank, a handle member engaged with one end portion of the shank, a bracket extending from and substantially at right angles to the opposite end portion of the shank, and a flat blade secured to said bracket and extending entirely therealong and beyond opposite sides thereof, the marginal portions of the blade signatures.

CHARLES W. BOARD.

WALTER GROSBY.

We hereunto atiix our 

